Airlines

New Rolls-Royce small engine set to begin tests to advance the hybrid-electric flight

Rolls-Royce said that testing on a new, compact gas turbine designed particularly to power hybrid-electric flight had already started. The engine is a component of a turbogenerator system being developed for the Advanced Air Mobility market. This includes electronic vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility and commuter aircraft applications with up to 19 seats.

Rolls Royce is designing an electric hybrid engine with a 1200 kW maximum output.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Rolls-Royce is combining its expertise in gas turbine and electrical development for the creation of the turbogenerator system. Recent technological advancements are used in the new combustion engine to significantly increase the efficiency of small gas turbines. It is possible to use the turbogenerator in hybrid serial or parallel applications.

It enables airplanes to switch between power sources while in flight as it is well adapted to both directly power electrical propulsion units and recharge batteries. The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is contributing to the research and development of this technology.

RTX advances hybrid-electric propulsion for Dash 8 Testing(Opens in a new browser tab)

In the upcoming months, this engine will be tested on SAF and used to inaugurate Rolls-Royce’s Dahlewitz testing centre. To test the new engine and validate its technical specifications, the Rolls-Royce Power Gearbox test facility has been upgraded.

For applications including all-electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, Rolls-Royce is developing comprehensive power and propulsion systems. And systems that are being designed using the most recent technology, including power electronics, control systems, and electric motors, as well as power generation and energy storage.

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.